Events

In the wake of Japan's tragedy, a Hamline professor unites people through art and words

Hamline School of Education professor Dr. Walter Enloe has
always had a special place in his heart for Japan. Now, following the devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster, Enloe
is redoubling his previous efforts to unite people with that country. With the
upcoming release of his book 2020 Vision:
Citizens of the Paper Crane, a revision of Birds of Peace: Citizens of the Paper Crane, Enloe hopes to inform
as well as inspire readers with the story behind the symbolic red paper crane,
in order to promote peace and understanding during Japan’s time of need.

2020 Vision: Citizens
of the Paper Crane is an adaptation of a story that has been translated
numerous times over the course of nearly two decades. It tells of a young girl
named Sadako who falls ill to “A-bomb’s Disease,” ten years after the city and people
of Hiroshima were changed forever by the atomic bomb attack at the end of World
War II.

In the story, Sadako begins to fold paper cranes believing that the hope for
her survival lies within the creases of those folded little birds. This tale of
uniting to find courage and strength in the face of tragedy was originally told
by the young girl’s classmates under the guidance of their teacher.

“As a teacher of children, I decided I was going to dedicate
my life to the idea of creating a culture of peace,” Enloe said. “I wanted to
retell the story of Sadako and her classmates because if you let the story get
out of the hands of kids, then it loses its power. It has to be about the kids.”

As a teenager, Enloe attended high school in Japan, living
in and learning about the culture he has come to love so much. He later returned
there to teach, and encouraged one middle school class to retell Sadako’s story
through drawings, photographs, and creative inserts, including instructions on
how to fold a paper crane.

Today the story of Sadako has been told around the world,
leading people to fold their own paper cranes in remembrance of the people of
Japan and the historical disasters they have faced. These birds have become a
symbol of unity. It’s now a common Japanese belief that folding even one paper
crane can inspire hope and bring comfort to those who share a love and passion
for the people of Japan.

This love and support is evident in the vast array of
colorful paper cranes that drape the walls of Enloe’s Hamline office, thousands
of which were sent to him personally from the mayor of Hiroshima. Enloe hopes
that the book will inspire people as much as the resilient people of Japan have
inspired him.

“I’m a teacher, I’m doing what I have to do,” Enloe said. “I
think that’s what teaching is…helping other people.”

As Japan struggles with clean up after the devastating
tsunami and the on-going concern at its nuclear facilities, Enloe hopes people
will unite to help the country, just as Sadako and her classmates came together
in the darkest of times.